Building and Retaining a Strong Team at Keir Projects

We work with people we trust and value. That applies just as much to our internal team as it does to the suppliers and subcontractors we collaborate with. We’re upfront about wanting to deliver challenging projects efficiently, and we value those who share that approach.

Understanding the capacity, interests and strengths of our people is key to delivering complex work well.

A balance of both is important. Experienced people only keep growing when they’re also teaching. Teaching is one of the highest levels of understanding.

At the same time, new staff need the opportunity to learn in a supportive environment, take on responsibility, and build confidence over time.

A team that is engaged will continue to improve through trust and shared experience. When people understand each other’s strengths, they can work more independently without constant direction, stepping in together when needed.

That kind of cohesion consistently delivers better outcomes than a team built mainly on short-term skill gaps filled by new people.

We don’t really approach it as replacement versus retention. We invest in the people who are here. The expectation is simple, if someone is engaged and interested, we support their growth. If not, we prefer open and honest conversations so we can help them move into something that suits them better.

When people leave, the goal is that they take more skills with them than they arrived with.

The business is the service we deliver. People who are committed tend to grow with the work and take pride in the results. They also tend to enjoy the environment they’re in.

Eru Keir plays a key role as our Skill Builder, helping the team develop capability across different areas. We also have ongoing conversations around individual pathways so people can build skills that increase both their capacity and their contribution to the team.

It’s central. If people stay and enjoy the work, then the skills they build become the foundation of our long-term capability.

Over time, that directly lifts the quality and consistency of what we deliver.

It comes down to balance. Enough challenge, enough interest, and enough competence for people to stay engaged and in flow through the day. Everyone is different, so leadership is about understanding that balance and creating the conditions where people can do their best work.

A sense of achievement at the end of the week also matters, especially when it’s shared with a team that gets along well.

We believe people should be paid in line with the value they bring. That requires honest conversations about capability and expectations, and accountability on both sides.

We’re prepared to pay well for strong performance. When people feel valued, they generally put more into their work and take more pride in the outcome.

We’re in it together. The hard jobs are tackled as a team, and no one is above any task. We also make sure people have the right gear to do the job properly and safely.

We pay attention to the basics as well, weather planning, hydration, food, and rest all come up regularly in toolbox talks. Good decision making around conditions is part of doing the job well.

Connection outside of work matters, especially given we sometimes work in remote locations or away from home. We encourage social time but don’t force it.

We’ve created space at the yard for BBQs and downtime, and we aim to bring the team together for a couple of shared events each year.

Leadership is critical. Time is set aside each week to plan properly and support site leaders. Regular meetings with site managers ensure projects are aligned, issues are discussed early, and ideas are shared across the team.

Experience helps, but only when people are engaged. It’s easy to assume experience alone guarantees performance, but attitude and motivation matter just as much.

The best results come from a skilled, motivated and well-connected team working together.

It’s a major focus. Capacity and capability will always matter, but long-term success depends on people enjoying the work and staying engaged.

When you’ve got a skilled team delivering quality work on time, the job becomes more rewarding for everyone involved.